Diseases common to the breed

Papillons are generally a fairly healthy breed. However, there are a few health issues to bear in mind.

These are conditions for which genetic tests specifically designed for the Papillon breed are available. All these conditions are inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means that even a dog carrying the mutation will not show any clinical symptoms (will not develop the condition). This information is important for breeders to ensure they do not mate two carrier dogs, as this could result in the birth of puppies affected by the condition.

• pap_PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) – is an eye disease leading to gradual loss of vision. Although PRA develops slowly, it ultimately leads to complete blindness.
• pap_NAD (Neuroaxonal Dystrophy) – is a disease of the nervous system that leads to severe motor and cognitive impairments. The disease is usually fatal.

Additional genetic disorders for which the tests are NOT specific to the Papillon breed. These are general tests applicable to all breeds, which means that the results obtained may not be reliable. It is not certain whether the results will correspond to tests specifically for the Papillon breed (specific tests are not yet available). However, as the saying goes, ‘better safe than sorry’, so it is worth bearing these conditions in mind as well.

• Factor 7 deficiency – a congenital haemorrhagic disorder resulting from blood clotting disorders. Factor VII (proconvertin) is a vitamin K-dependent protein, synthesised in the liver, which plays a role in the initiation of clotting. The severity of symptoms varies greatly – from a complete absence of symptoms to severe haemorrhages.
• von Willebrand disease – a congenital haemorrhagic disorder resulting from a deficiency or structural abnormality of von Willebrand factor (vWF), which impairs blood clotting. Symptoms are often mild.

Conditions for which no genetic tests are available. These are often inherited through multiple genes and/or are significantly influenced by the environment during the dog’s development. The inheritance of these conditions cannot be predicted and, unfortunately, even tested and healthy parents do not guarantee healthy puppies.

• Patellar luxation (dislocation of the kneecap) – involves the kneecap slipping out of the femoral groove (laterally or medially). This is a highly complex problem that occurs most frequently in this breed. It is often caused by an abnormal structure of the knee joint, which over time leads to its degeneration and patellar luxation, even during what would appear to be normal activity for the dog. This makes diagnosis difficult in puppies, as the problem may appear suddenly in an adult dog. However, dislocation can sometimes also result from a serious injury. The condition causes lameness, a characteristic ‘jumping’ sensation in the knee joint, pain and, over time, osteoarthritis. Treatment depends on the severity (stages 1–4); surgery is often required. The examination is palpatory and should be carried out by an orthopaedic vet.
• Congenital heart defects – these are investigated by performing an echocardiogram (ECG) and assessing the structure and function of the heart muscle, the valves and blood flow.
• Other eye conditions (excluding pap_PRA) – the examination is carried out by an ECVO panelist. It allows for an assessment of the structure of the eye and the potential development of conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts.